NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Projecting picks post Draft Lottery

By James Ham

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2018 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

We have a draft order! With the first major step in the pre Draft process done, it’s time to start projecting where players fit best. With the Kings moving up in the lottery, things are about to get very interesting in Sacramento.

1. Suns

Phoenix has a choice. Draft the monster in the middle or go for the magician on the perimeter. Ayton is an easy choice, but Doncic has ties to newly hired head coach, Igor Kokoskov. Doncic would pair well with Booker in the backcourt. Ayton might be the next big thing to hit the NBA.

2. Kings

The true winner on lottery night was the Sacramento Kings. Moving from the seventh overall selection to No. 2 changes everything. They’ll anxiously await to see who the Suns pass on, but the choice here is likely Doncic. He’s a perfect fit alongside De’Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic and he’ll make everyone around him better. If Ayton falls, Sacramento will take him, but that’s probably not going to happen.

3. Hawks

Atlanta is further away from being relevant than almost any team in the NBA. They need talent and lots of it. Bagley is tempting here, but Jackson has a huge upside on both sides of the ball and a better fit alongside John Collins on the frontline.

4. Grizzlies

Memphis needs an infusion of energy and Bagley is a big time scoring threat. He’ll instantly slide in next to Marc Gasol and give Memphis the type of athlete they need on the frontline. He’s a work in progress on the defensive side of the ball, but Gasol can help with that issue.

5. Mavericks

His medical reports will get a close look, but Porter Jr. has an incredible upside. At 6-foot-10, he can play either forward position and he’ll give Rick Carlisle plenty of versatility on the frontline. He has star potential, but questions about his attitude and health make him a risk.

6. Magic

Orlando needs a point guard. They also need a scorer. Young has no conscience, but he’s also a very good passer. His size and strength issues will make teams think twice, but the Magic need a lead guard and Young fits the bill.

7. Bulls

Mohamed Bamba CenterTexas FreshmanAge: 19 Height: 7-foot Weight: 215

Markkanen was a solid pick last season. Bamba could be a perfect complimentary piece. Chicago needs a presence in the post and Bamba is the best shotblocker in the draft. He is one of the bigger boom-or-bust picks in the lottery, but if he pans out, he might be a steal at the No. 7 overall selection.

8. Cavs (via Nets)

Cleveland turned one of the most valuable assets in the NBA into an eighth overall selection. They should have traded this pick for gold and kept LeBron James happy last summer. Now they have to hope that Sexton is a player.

9. Knicks

The Unicorn is out for a while with a knee injury. Even when he returns, the Knicks need more beef down on the blocks. Carter Jr. isn’t getting the same love that some of the other bigs are getting in this draft, but he’s versatile and will help in a year or two.

10. 76ers (via Lakers)

Despite their youth movement, Philly is in win-now mode. They are looking for NBA ready players and Bridges brings a maturity at a position of need. The 76ers may look to move this pick in their chase of star level players, but there is plenty of value here at No. 10.

11. Hornets

Kemba Walker needs to some help. Knox is a smooth shooting combo forward that could press for minutes in his rookie season. If Charlotte hits the reset button, Gilgeous-Alexander is an option at this spot, but they’ll probably tinker with the lineup for another season before blowing it all up.

12. Clippers

Everyone needs a Draymond Green type player. Bridges has a motor that won’t quit and he plays with a physicality that teams covet. He has the potential to be special at the NBA level and Los Angeles needs depth at the forward position.

13. Clippers (via Pistons)

A big, strong athlete, Walker is one of those players that tends to move up the board through the draft process. He’ll get a challenge from players like Zhaire Smith and Mitchell Robinson, but the Clippers haven’t figured out that they are in full rebuild mode quite yet.

15. Wizards (via Heat)

Washington needs fresh legs in the post. Williams has a ton of potential, but he hasn’t figured out how to put it all together quite yet. Maybe he’s better suited as a rim runner at the NBA level? He’s a super athlete that might find his game with a guard like John Wall.

16. Suns (via Pistons)

After hitting a home run with top over selection, the Suns need a solid base hit with their second pick. Holiday is tough-minded point guard with a mature game. He’s a solid role player that took a major step forward in his junior season at UCLA.

18. Spurs

Mitchell Robinson CenterFreshmanAge: 19 Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 215

At some point, the Spurs have to plan for the future. Robinson has crazy measurements, but he needs to find a place that is willing to invest time and energy into his development. San Antonio is a great spot for a player with very little experience. He’s a blank slate for Pop and his staff to mold.

19. Hawks (via T-Wolves)

Atlanta has more holes to fill that a groundskeeper at the local pitch and putt. Brown is a super athlete that will take patience. They love their wing projects in the ATL and Brown could be a good one in two or three years.

20. T-Wolves (via Thunder)

Minnesota is looking for help at the wing and Bates-Diop is a seasoned college player with upside. They have other needs as well, but after a breakout season at Ohio State, Bates-Diop looks like a solid 3-and-D wing at the NBA level.

22. Bulls (via Pelicans)

The Bulls are a few years away from competing. Simmons has a ton of talent, but he’s going to need plenty of time to develop. Two or three seasons from now, Simmons might develop into something special and make Chicago’s front office look brilliant. He could also bust, but at pick 22, the risk/reward is minimal.

24. Blazers

After an early exit from the playoffs, Portland has found themselves in a very uncomfortable position. They need help now, but they’ve dug a deep salary hole with rash decisions on their own free agents. Musa might work as a draft and stash option for a year or two down the road.

25. Lakers (via Cavs)

Los Angeles has pieced together a solid young core, but they need plenty more, especially in the backcourt. Trent Jr. has nice size and NBA pedigree. He’s young, but he fits the trajectory of the rest of the team.

26. 76ers

The Sixers are open for business. After falling in the second round of the playoff, they gained plenty of experience and are ready to take another leap forward. This pick might be shopped for veteran help. If not, expect Philly to take an NBA ready player like Thomas.

27. Celtics

With Marcus Smart hitting the free agent market, the Celtics might need help in the backcourt. Allen is seasoned and can really shoot the ball. Allen has a high basketball IQ and Boston has the system in place to deal with both the good and the bad that he brings to the table.

28. Warriors

Evans fits the mold of a versatile, multi positional player that the Warriors love at the end of their bench. He can shoot it from the perimeter and doesn’t mind mixing it up on the defensive side of the ball.

29. Nets (via Raptors)

Brooklyn needs talent. Porter has an intriguing skill set for a big and he would fit alongside Jarrett Allen up front. He’s one of the youngest players in the field and he’ll need plenty of time to develop at the next level.

30. Hawks (via Rockets)

Dennis Schroeder is looking for a way out, leaving Atlanta in a tough position. You aren’t typically going to land a starter with the 30th overall selection, but the Hawks need bodies at this point. Carr has some holes in his game, but he has good size for the position.